>> 5 ON YOUR HEALTH AND AVOIDING BACK TO SCHOOL STRESS. ESPECIALLY IN THE TRANSITION YEARS WHEN THE KIDS ARE GOING FROM ELEMENTARY TO MIDDLE SCHOOL. TONIGHT, WE HAVE SOME ADVICE ON HOW YOU CAN HELP YOUR KIDS. >> WE ARE SEEING IT ALL THE TIME. >> HE IS SEEING -- PEDIATRICIAN DR. MICHAEL VISKER IS SEEING MORE KIDS STRUGGLE WITH ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION FUELED BY SOCIAL , MEDIA AND CONSTANT CONNECTION. >> THEY’RE TRYING TO FALL ASLEEP, A FRIEND TEXTS THEM NOW THEY’RE UP AND WORRYING ABOUT WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN IN SCHOOL THE NEXT DAY. >> ACCORDING TO THE CDC, 4.4 MILLION CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF 3 AND 17 ARE DIAGNOSED WITH ANXIETY ANOTHER 1.9 MILLION , WITH DEPRESSION. OREGON RECENTLY TOOK A UNIQU APPROACH PASSING A LAW THAT LETS STUDENTS TAKE MENTAL HEALTH DAYS AN EXCUSED ABSENCE IF THEY , MISS SCHOOL FOR MENTAL OR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH REASONS. >> VISKER THINKS IT’S AN INTERESTING IDEA, BUT SAYS TO HELP YOUR KIDS, GO BACK TO BASICS. >> YOU CAN NEVER GO WRONG BY SIMPLY JUST ASKING YOUR KIDS QUESTIONS. >> QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT’S FUELING THE ANXIETY. >> YOU KNOW, YOU GUYS WORKED ON ACTIVE SHOOTER DRILLS IN SCHOOL TODAY? HOW DID THAT MAKE YOU FEEL? DID IT MAKE YOU SCARED? WERE YOU WORRIED? HOW DID YOU FEEL AFTER YOU WORKED ON THESE DRILLS 26:57. >> AND COMING UP WITH A PLAN. >> THEY HAVE A HARD DAY AHEAD OF THEM, COMING UP WITH PLANS FOR WHO THEY SHOULD TALK TO, WHAT THEY SHOULD DO, WHEN TO GO SEE THE SCHOOL NURSE, WHEN IS IT OK TO CALL MOM OR DAD. >> IT REALLY HELPS THE KIDS AND YOUNG ADULTS TO DEVELOP THESE PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS AND REALLY EMPOWER THEM TO COME UP WITH ANSWERS THEY THINK ARE REASONABLE. >> VISKER SAYS SOME ANXIETY IS NORMAL, BUT IF YOU NOTICE CHANGES IN YOUR CHILD’S APPETITE, SLEEP PATTERNS AND BEHAVIOR LASTING MORE THAN A FEW WEEKS, THINK ABOUT SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR PEDIATRICIAN. >> ANOTHER TIP IS TO SET SOCIAL MEDIA OR SCREEN TIME LIMITS. COME UP WITH A CONTRACT BOTH YOU AND YOUR CHILD SIGN, THAT

Heading back to school can be nerve-racking for kids, especially those making transitions, from one school or classroom to another. Parents should focus on a child's mental health in these situations, just as they do on their physical health.Pediatrician Dr. Michael Visker, of Winchester Physician Associates, is seeing more kids struggle with anxiety and depression. He believes much of it is fueled by social media and constant connection."They're trying to fall asleep, a friend texts them. Now, they're up and worrying about what's going to happen in school the next day," Visker said.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4.4 million children between the ages of 3 and 17 are diagnosed with anxiety. Another 1.9 million are diagnosed with depression.The state of Oregon recently took a unique approach by passing a law that allows students take mental health days. It's an excused absence if they miss school for mental or behavioral health reasons.Visker said it's an interesting idea, but he advises his patients and their families to go back to basics. "You can never go wrong by simply just asking your kids questions. 'You guys worked on active shooter drills in school today. How did that make you feel? Did it make you scared? Were you worried? How did you feel after you worked on these drills?'", Visker said.He recommends coming up with a plan for how the child should respond if they start to feel anxious in a new class setting."Coming up with plans for who they should talk to, what they should do, when to go see the school nurse, when is it OK to call mom or dad. It really helps the kids and young adults to develop these problem-solving skills and really empower them to come up with answers they think are reasonable," Visker said.Some anxiety is normal, but if you notice changes in your child's appetite, sleep patterns and behavior lasting more than a few weeks, consider scheduling an appointment with your child's pediatrician.

Heading back to school can be nerve-racking for kids, especially those making transitions, from one school or classroom to another. Parents should focus on a child's mental health in these situations, just as they do on their physical health.

Pediatrician Dr. Michael Visker, of Winchester Physician Associates, is seeing more kids struggle with anxiety and depression. He believes much of it is fueled by social media and constant connection.

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"They're trying to fall asleep, a friend texts them. Now, they're up and worrying about what's going to happen in school the next day," Visker said.

The state of Oregon recently took a unique approach by passing a law that allows students take mental health days. It's an excused absence if they miss school for mental or behavioral health reasons.

Visker said it's an interesting idea, but he advises his patients and their families to go back to basics.

"You can never go wrong by simply just asking your kids questions. 'You guys worked on active shooter drills in school today. How did that make you feel? Did it make you scared? Were you worried? How did you feel after you worked on these drills?'", Visker said.

He recommends coming up with a plan for how the child should respond if they start to feel anxious in a new class setting.

"Coming up with plans for who they should talk to, what they should do, when to go see the school nurse, when is it OK to call mom or dad. It really helps the kids and young adults to develop these problem-solving skills and really empower them to come up with answers they think are reasonable," Visker said.

Some anxiety is normal, but if you notice changes in your child's appetite, sleep patterns and behavior lasting more than a few weeks, consider scheduling an appointment with your child's pediatrician.